Resources on Nonprofit Statistics

Statistics on nonprofits can sometime be hard to track down but the following websites can make your research much easier.  

• The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University provides research on giving and volunteering
• Center on Charitable Statistics at the Urban Institute offers statistical tables and reports on the nonprofit sector in the U.S.
• The Education Trust publishers an annual Education Watch State Reports of achievement indicators in the U.S. public schools
• The U.S. Census Bureau's State and County QuickFacts provides population, business activity, and geographic data.  Each state profile provides access to additional data from the American Community Survey

3 Tips to Start a Planned Giving Program

MAY 22, 2015

This guest post by Tycely Williams, CFRE, first appeared in Philanthropy Front and Center Washington DC. This is Part 1 of a three-part blog series on planned giving.

http://grantspace.org/blog/3-tips-to-start-a-planned-giving-program

Meet the Grantmakers Panel

Representatives from local grant programs will participate in a helpful panel discussion. Organizations will provide information on available funding programs and tips for writing a winning proposal followed by a Q&A session.

When:   Thursday, May 14th from 6 pm to 8 pm

Where:   Main Library, Meeting Room A

                                                   

7 Expert Tips for Landing a Major Donor Meeting

Did you know you're already half-way to securing a gift if you can get your prospect to agree to a site visit? So says veteran major gifts fundraiser Jerold Panas in his iconic book, Asking. He also says, "If you want to milk a cow, sit by its side." Read more › 

Five Ways to Improve Your Digital Strategy for Older Donors

Great advice from PhilanTopic, blog of Philanthropy News Digest, on ways to use technology to connect with older donors.

How to Make a Video for Your Nonprofit for $50

You run an amazing nonprofit. You have a great team and you do great things for a great cause.  

via sanfranciscoblog.foundationcenter.org

Basic Proposal Writing Class at Main Library

Monday, February 9th @ 6:00 - Main Library Conference Room

This free class is for non-profit employees and volunteers who are new to the grant proposal writing process or need to polish their proposal writing skills.

Participants learn practical strategies for writing winning grant proposals, with a focus on foundation funding.  Topics covered include: planning to write, writing a statement of need, creating a budget, packaging the proposal, and dealing with a yes or a no answer.  The class is being taught by Grant Center librarian Bonnie Pessell.   

Class size is limited.  Please register here.

(image from 401{K} 2012 on Flickr)

New books for grantseekers at Main Library

Here are two titles recently added to our collection.   

Storytelling for Grantseekers: A Guide to Creative Nonprofit Fundraising by Cheryl A. Clark

"This second edition of the best-selling book Storytelling for Grantseekers contains all the resources and information needed to help craft a persuasive summary, package a compelling narrative story, and create a short story approach to letters of inquiry. Cheryl Clarke walks grantseekers through all the phases of developing an effective proposal and highlights the creative elements that link components to each other and unify the entire proposal. " From the Publisher.

The Networked Nonprofit: Connecting With Social Media
to Drive Change by Beth Kanter and Allison H. Fine

"The book contains specific strategies for implementation and secrets to success from nonprofits who have used new social media tools effectively themselves. It also offers effective exercises and how-to's for implementation. A key element of this book is interviews with current nonprofit managers who have learned how to jump into the social media fray without a net and thrived because of it"-- Provided by publisher.